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Fun, right?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Boyink, Aug 8, 2005.

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  1. Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    This is a fun hobby, right? :evil:

    New U-bolts are too short in the rear. Guessing they're aftermarket lift u-bolts and never designed to go on the 11-leaf original leaf springs.

    Moved to the front. Bolted axle in place. Went to attach the steering and it...won't....reach.....1/2" off. Compare tie rod setups and whaddya know...the double-hole TRE on the axle that came off has the bend 180 deg. different than the double hole TRE on the axle going in.

    I've gotten email looking for that double-hole TRE with the bend just opposite and didn't quite believe they made them.

    So no biggie...I'll swap tie rod setups from one to the other. Get out the pickle fork and loosen the ones up on the axle that's mounted....and you can't remove the long tie rod with the axle in place...it drops on the springs and the TRE's won't fall out of the knuckle holes. So the axle needs to come loose again...... :( :(

    Did I mention still 85 and 90% humidity out? Sweating like a pig...tossed wrenches on the workbench...had a shower and now nursing a :beer:...just not worth it tonight.
     
    Boyink, Aug 8, 2005
    #1
  2. nyejos11

    nyejos11 Member

    I know that feeling.
     
    nyejos11, Aug 8, 2005
    #2
  3. neptco19

    neptco19 That guy....

    Mike, just thinking out loud here........if you jack up on the bumber allowing the spring to droop will it give you any more clearence for the tie rod to drop down :?


    And yes its better sometimes to just step back and have a :beer:
     
    neptco19, Aug 8, 2005
    #3
  4. Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Don't think so..as the axle is now attached to the springs.
     
    Boyink, Aug 8, 2005
    #4
  5. sasquatch

    sasquatch I'm big in Japan.

    Ouch. Sorry to hear it Mike. I think we all have nights like that sneak up on us.

    Everything's less fun on a deadline...
     
    sasquatch, Aug 8, 2005
    #5
  6. mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    That stinks Mike. I know how you feel.
     
    mb82, Aug 8, 2005
    #6
  7. gscj5

    gscj5 H2 Recovery Team

    Hey I feel for ya Mike, the humidity is the same just south of you in Brookville, OH. I've been digging the ground out for a brick patio out back and I no sooner got the shovel in my hand and I was dripping in sweat and had to take my shirt off. I hate when things don't go as planned...which is most of the time, lol. :mad: This buds for you, mate :beer:
     
    gscj5, Aug 8, 2005
    #7
  8. 67cj5

    67cj5 Member

    I think we all have those days, Step back, drink a cold one and get to it another day with a fresh start and a better attitude.Hope it all works out for ya.
     
    67cj5, Aug 8, 2005
    #8
  9. Project71-5

    Project71-5 BACON

    I hear ya Mike.

    I've hardly turned a wrench on mine these past few weeks, its just been too hot and humid.
     
    Project71-5, Aug 8, 2005
    #9
  10. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    BTDT.

    Relax. It is supposed to be fun. :D
     
    sparky, Aug 8, 2005
    #10
  11. Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Sure you can, loosen both tie rods with pickle fork, leave loosely attached with nuts, then undo the clamps on the tie rod tube, unscrew tie rod tube until it falls free remove tie rod ends as needed.;)
     
    Mcruff, Aug 8, 2005
    #11
  12. Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Well yea, but by the time I do that to two axles and then gotta re-set toe in I might as well just pop the axle up and get it over with...
     
    Boyink, Aug 9, 2005
    #12
  13. panzer

    panzer Super Mod Staff Member

    Crap!!! Sometimes it's better to just sit back w/ a cold one
    and get your mind right/refocused. Good luck.
     
    panzer, Aug 9, 2005
    #13
  14. Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    You're gonna have to reset the toe in any way. The unscrewing the tie rod shouldn't take 5 minutes to take it a part, much faster than jacking up the jeep, supporting it, unbolting the axle and rolling it backward to remove the tie rod, only to have to reset the toe in anyway.;)
     
    Mcruff, Aug 9, 2005
    #14
  15. Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Jeeps already jacked up and supported....;)

    I might not have have time to dink with toe-in, and my chances of it being closer are much higher if I don't unscrew the TRE's.

    I also have very rusty clamps on the TREs = chance for breaking one of those (think MI here...;))
     
    Boyink, Aug 9, 2005
    #15
  16. Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    I didn't realize you still had it jacked up and supported. While I have rust on some things I forget about the road salt rust on tie rod clamps and such, we have mainly mildew and moss on our jeeps in the south.:D
     
    Mcruff, Aug 9, 2005
    #16
  17. 53Flattie

    53Flattie Intigator

    Mike- I had this same problem on the '74 I worked on earlier this year. I was able to get **just** enough clearance to remove the drag link by turning the tires to the passenger side.

    I also once used this method: by removing the driver's side TRE, you can lift up on that side, which will allow the passenger side to come down and out of the knuckle.

    Might be worth a shot before you unbolt the axle...
     
    53Flattie, Aug 9, 2005
    #17
  18. Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Tim sounds like he has done a simular thing as I did... It worked for me - hopefully for you as well.
     
    Warloch, Aug 9, 2005
    #18
  19. Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Well the rear is in.


    Timmy I owe you a :beer:. I was literally sitting out here in the garage looking at the thing while perusing the site here...and thought..."I wonder if"...

    Turned the tires to passenger, pushed down on the end of the tie rod, and it all fell out.

    Thanks!
     
    Boyink, Aug 9, 2005
    #19
  20. w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    I feel yer pain Mike, or is that the cool :beer:s I've been sippin' tonight after wrestling with the 43-year-old shutters on the ol' homestead? I had *EXACTLY the same experience with the yet-unnamed flattie (hint hint) and found a way around it: Break the joint loose with the pickle-fork and crank the steering box around all the way to each lock, and maneuver the tie-rod end hither and yon. I had *just* enough clearance to wiggle the tie-rod out. ;)

    :beer: is on me tonight brotha!
     
    w3srl, Aug 9, 2005
    #20
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